Fluid cooled integrated photovoltaic module

A fluid cooled photovoltaic (PV) module assembly, the assembly comprising:

• a photovoltaic (PV) module comprising
• a plurality of silicon based cells or thin film based cells,
• a frame having a first frame side and a second frame side;
• a PV front region, and
• a PV back region;
• a thermal collector module comprising
• a thickness of polymer based material having a plurality of tubes extending from a first end to a second end, the thickness of polymer based material having a collector front region and a collector back region,
• a first manifold coupled to the plurality of tubes on the first end to provide fluid to each of the plurality of tubes, wherein the first manifold comprises a first manifold first end and a first manifold second end,
• a pair of first manifold supports configured to couple the first manifold to the frame of the PV module,
• a second manifold coupled to the plurality of tubes on the second end to gather fluid from each of the plurality of tubes, wherein the second manifold comprises a second manifold first end and a second manifold second end, and
• a pair of second manifold supports configured to couple the second manifold to the frame of the PV module;
• an interface region characterizing the PV back region and the collector front region, the interface region being characterized by continuous contact between the PV back region and the collector front region;
• and
• a back structure configured to press the thickness of polymer based material against the PV module such that the interface region maintains the continuous contact,
• wherein the plurality of tubes extend from the first manifold towards the PV module at the first end, bend to be parallel to the PV back region, and bend from the PV module towards the second manifold at the second end.

A fluid cooled photovoltaic (PV) module assembly, the assembly comprising:

• a photovoltaic (PV) module comprising:
• a plurality of silicon based cells or thin film based cells,
• a frame having a first frame side and a second frame side;
• a PV front region, and
• a PV back region;
• a thermal collector module comprising:
• a thickness of polymer based material having a plurality of tubes extending from a first end to a second end, the thickness of polymer based material having a collector front region and a collector back region,
• a first manifold coupled to the plurality of tubes on the first end to provide fluid to each of the plurality of tubes,
• a pair of first manifold supports configured to couple the first manifold to the frame of the PV module,
• a second manifold coupled to the plurality of tubes on the second end to gather fluid from each of the plurality of tubes, and
• a pair of second manifold supports configured to couple the second manifold to the frame of the PV module;
• an interface region characterizing the PV back region and the collector front region, the interface region being characterized by a contact between the PV back region and the collector front region;
• and
• a back structure configured to press the thickness of polymer based material against the PV module such that the interface region maintains the contact, wherein the back structure comprises a plurality of spar structures coupled to the frame, the spar structures being configured to press the thickness of polymer based material against the PV module such that the interface region maintains the contact,
• wherein the plurality of tubes extend from the first manifold towards the PV module at the first end, bend to be parallel to the PV back region, and bend from the PV module towards the second manifold at the second end.